Ray Donovan is a Hollywood fixer who cleans up messes for the rich and famous. He's a man with a dark past, trying to maintain a semblance of normalcy for his wife, Abby, and their children. His life becomes chaotic when his estranged father, Mickey, is released from prison and immediately begins causing trouble, including a murder.

The core conflict revolves around Ray's attempts to control Mickey and protect his family from the fallout of his father's actions and his own dangerous profession. Key turning points include Mickey's involvement with the FBI, Ray's discovery of his father's manipulation, and the escalating violence that engulfs their lives. The season is marked by several shocking deaths, including Sean Walker and Sully.

The season ends with Ray seemingly reconciling with Abby, but their fragile peace is shattered when Abby leaves Ray, unable to cope with his violent world.

Season 1 of Ray Donovan covers episodes 1-12. Here's everything that happened:

Season 1, Episode 1: The Bag or the Bat - Ray, a fixer for the Hollywood elite, juggles a dead body case and a scandal involving a closeted actor. His estranged father, Mickey, is released from prison and immediately murders a priest. Ray confronts a stalker, offering him a choice between a bag of dye or a beating with a bat. Abby lets Mickey into their home despite Ray's warning.

Season 1, Episode 2: A Mouth Is a Mouth - Ray works to send Mickey back to prison while Abby allows the kids to spend time with him. Ray handles crises for clients: Sean receives threats, and Tommy is blackmailed with a sex video. Ray violently retrieves the tape from Chloe. He later sends her money for her surgery, and learns about the murdered priest.

Season 1, Episode 3: Twerk - Ray helps rapper Re-Kon with a custody issue involving young Marvin. Mickey worms his way deeper into Bunchy and Terry's lives, angering Ray. Avi sets up a deal to implicate Mickey in the priest's murder. Ezra's past sins haunt him at a fundraiser. The episode concludes with Ray and Abby having make-up sex.

Season 1, Episode 4: Black Cadillac - Ray, Abby, and the kids visit Bel Air Academy. Mickey, Bunchy, and Daryll drive to Palm Springs to see Claudette. Connor assaults Stu's son. Ray learns the murder investigation against Mickey has been dropped. Mickey dances in a gay bar.

Season 1, Episode 5: The Golem - Ezra has a hit-and-run accident and later reveals to Ray that he has a brain tumor. Ray and Avi discover Mickey is working with the FBI and that they are targets. Terry's relationship with Frances is complicated when he learns she is married. Ray, distraught, has aggressive sex with Ashley. The episode concludes with Abby questioning Ray's identity.

Season 1, Episode 6: Housewarming - Ray tries to sabotage Van Miller's investigation by creating an incriminating video. Bunchy's housewarming party goes awry as he struggles with past trauma, leading him to set fire to his new house. Ray confronts Mickey, nearly shooting him in front of his kids. Ezra suggests they enlist Sully to kill Mickey.

Season 1, Episode 7: New Birthday - Ray travels to Boston seeking Sully to kill Mickey. Mickey manipulates Sean Walker into a movie deal. Bridget has a frightening encounter with Marvin. Abby and Deb's drinking leads to Abby's arrest for shoplifting. Ray confronts Marvin with a gun but ultimately drives him back to Compton. Sean fires Ray.

Season 1, Episode 8: Bridget - The Donovan brothers commemorate their sister Bridget's death anniversary. Terry assaults Frances' husband, while Ray retrieves Bunchy's house money. Bridget gets a piercing and runs off to see Marvin. Ray reveals to Bridget that his sister died by suicide after being high on drugs. At the end, Lena is arrested.

Season 1, Episode 9: Road Trip - Ray blackmails Frank to handle Van. Avi transports Sully, whose girlfriend Catherine is killed, requiring Avi to bury her in the desert. Mickey, working with Van to get evidence against Sean, realizes Van is using him. Mickey kills Van to protect Sean and his movie deal.

Season 1, Episode 10: Fite Nite - Ray's plan to eliminate Mickey backfires when Sully reveals Ray's betrayal, leading to Sully killing Sean Walker. Mickey survives, and Daryll wins his fight. Bunchy spirals after confronting Father Danny. Ray finds Sean's baby. The episode concludes with Ezra pressuring Ray to handle the escalating situation.

Season 1, Episode 11: Bucky Fuckn' Dent - Bunchy shoots his abuser, Father Danny, bringing him to Terry's gym. Ray arrives to handle the situation, leading to a confrontation with the priest. Ray, also a victim of Father Danny, ultimately shoots and kills him. Abby, realizing the extent of Ray's trauma, packs her bags. The episode concludes with Abby leaving Ray, and Frank threatens Ray for Van Miller's death.

Season 1, Episode 12: Same Exactly - Ray leaks Sully's location to the press. Mickey, with Sully and Tiny, confronts Ray, resulting in Avi getting shot. Mickey then unexpectedly kills Sully. Ray reconciles with Abby, and the family is seemingly happy at the beach.